2 Years Later | Monoprice 5W Stage Right

In this 197th installment, Jimmy “gets the hint” and plugs in the Monoprice 5W Stage Right all valve amp for a long time coming demo. The 5W is the “little brother” to the 15W Stage Right which is mostly featured here on the channel when doing reviews and demo’s. Initial review of this amp was in Aug of 21 and it really has not seen much use since then. For those that have been asking…here you go with 3 different guitars equipped with humbuckers, P90’s, and standard single coils.
Thanks for watching!

[@Adviso_Sonoro]

I'd like to celebrate how great that 5 watt amp sounds through the 1X12 cabinet with a vintage 30. *With a whole band running through it*

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Sound Advise…thanks so much for stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts! I agree…pretty amazing really…🎸👍

[@gregholmes1289]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I have other amps, so I don't miss my 5 watt that much. When I get time, I'll open it up since I've got nothing to lose.

[@JimmyStewart1]

My pleasure Greg…it’s a great lil’ amp so was sad to hear yours gave up the ghost after only a year…anyway…hope it’s something simple and you can revive it! 🎸👍

[@Greg-kj5rr]

Love how that little guy can keep right up there with it all!! Pretty cool!! Love your improvisational skills Jimmy!!! Always tasteful and right in the 'feel' of the music too!! Thanks for showing us what it can do!!! - Greg Leonard Cottage Grove, MN

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Greg…thanks so much for watching and commenting. So glad you enjoyed. Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel and the kind comments! Much thanks 🙏👍

[@mjvicc1952]

Chief, I have the 15W Stage Right which I bought on sale and changed the tubes and 3 spring reverb to your specs and oh boy what a difference! I took it upon myself to change the tubes in the L’il 5W Stage Right and put in new Electro Harmonix tubes and it sounds like a million bucks! Really appreciate your reviews and also your efforts to make good sound affordable!😊

[@JimmyStewart1]

That’s excellent mjvicc1952!! So glad to hear you are enjoying both amps!! Thanks so much for stopping in and sharing! 🙏👍

[@mjvicc1952]

Chief, thanks for the G-R-E-A-T update on the l’il 5W amp! Thanks for indulging me and I didn’t know 1) why you used the 15W primarily 2) how much extra work was involved making the necessary adjustments. I bought one the Christmas after your review and Monoprice on sale for about $100 with shipping! Yep, when on sale and followed your advice 😉! Always enjoy relaxing in your music room. As always please “ Keep ‘em comin’” and terrific playing !

[@JimmyStewart1]

My pleasure mjvicc1952…so glad you enjoyed and thanks to you and others that it was still there behind me…😎 It’s a lil’ beast for sure! Think I will have to incorporate it more than once every couple of years…🤣 Truly appreciate your stopping in and the kind comments…keep pickin’…🙏🎸👍

[@74dartman13]

Those little amps really crank! I bought one, when they first came out for around $100. I play it almost every day and I absolutely love it!👍😎🎸🎶

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hey there 74dartman13…thanks so much for watching and commenting. Nice…yeah only had mine just over a couple years, but picked mine up on sale at Monoprice for around $99 on sale. I picked up the 15W 1st, but decided I wanted its little brother as well. It’s a little beast, and probably one of the best deals out there for an all valve 5W combo. Appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts! Much thanks…🎸👍

[@yomommaahotoo264]

I'm still absolutely thrilled with my 15 watter I purchased 4 yrs ago.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Same here!! Thanks ever so much for stopping in and sharing your thoughts! Much thanks….🎸👍

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: Fun demo, of course your skills on both playing guitar and using electronics really makes it all shine. You cannot beat the sound of warm 6V6 or 6L6 output tubes. 75 years of Fender amps has proven that. Nice to know the little Monoprice amp has the guts for more than the little speaker.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Yep!! It’s a lil’ beast! Much cheaper than a Fender Champ too! I used the 1x12 specifically in this video as I was using the looper as well, and wanted a little “larger” sound than the stock 8”…as always I appreciate your stopping in. Hope all is as well as can be for you folks there is Texarkana…🙏👍

[@user-uc5sn4tp3f]

FWIW - The circuit on this is very close to a 5F2a Tweed Princeton. ( If a Princeton had a solid state rectifier. )

[@reggiemurphy1523]

Awesome where are they now video Jimmy!! The little guy is a great little amp! Keep up the great work!!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Truly appreciate it Reggie! Glad you enjoyed, and thanks as always for stopping into the channel my friend…🙏👍

[@oldasrocks9121]

Interesting tone control, comes off the cathode of the driver triode. Got one 2nd hand for just over one Franklin, got a Bugle Boy 12AX7 and the 2x12 alnicos waiting.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@oldasrocks9121 Thanks so much for stopping in and watching. Congrats on yours & enjoy it! 🎸👍

[@user-wv1ef2my2t]

You have very interesting reviews from the guitar world. I wish you all the best, I have been watching your videos for several years, so it was time to become your subscriber. Thank you and greetings from the Czech Republic. Pavel.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi CZ Pavel…truly appreciate your stopping in, and thanks for subscribing as well! Glad to hear you finally came over to the “good side”…😎 All the best to you and yours as well, and hope to see you more here! Much thanks…🙏🎸👍

[@user-wv1ef2my2t]

Thank you very much for your reply, I appreciate it. Once again, I wish you much success in your work and, above all, good health. I look forward to more videos.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@user-wv1ef2my2t Thanks so very much! 🙏👍

[@chessrootslove9916]

I liked the 5W amp so much I have two - with a A/B pedal - and run them in stereo. I also have the 15W, but it's too much for my needs so I'll hold it for a grand daughter who also plays. Thanks, Jimmie - have a great weekend! 🎸🎸🎸

[@JimmyStewart1]

Nice!! Truly appreciate your stopping in and sharing my friend!! Your granddaughter will love the 15w….🙏👍

[@calbrockocat8728]

Really like the "2 years later update" that you may be able to use for your loads of guitars. I've had mine a little over a year and tame it for apartment use with a Blues Drive pedal with the master level just on enough not to bug my neighbors! I love its tone. Needs a reverb pedal and delay to start with, but its some amp for the money!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Thanks so very much Cal…yeah, I can certainly get mine to “growl” a bit more here in the studio. Only the deer, bears, turkeys to disturb 😎 I would just pick yourself up a nice little delay/reverb/overdrive/compressor like my SoniCake Twiggy Blues pedal and your covered! Always appreciate your stopping into the channel my 🇨🇦friend…🙏👍

[@2dazetake]

Your not the only one who's 5 watt doesn't get used as much,I like to push more air when I practice,but I like having a 5 for recording,I favor my 15 watt because it has more tones and reverb,all my amps are favorites for different reasons,the one we use the most to practice with is always a favorite.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hey 2dazetake…thanks for dropping in man. Yeah…you get use to certain tones and try to maintain those, especially in the studio. It’s nice having it though, and as a backup to its big brother, it’s a no brainer. Appreciate your stopping in…much thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍

[@dennyps1]

Hi Jimmy 👋 great video and some great licks too. Bit of a technical question for you. I noticed that your back tracks had a bit of distortion in them, is that because it was overpowering the input on the Monoprice amp or because the looper was going in through the same source to the amp as the overdrive guitar? As always a great show!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Denny….thanks so much for watching and commenting. Yeah, in this video I was pushing everything via the front input jack on the 5W as you know, there is no effects loop on this amp. I didn’t adjust the looper backing volume playback (which you can do on the RC-5) and because I don’t use the Monoprice 5W nearly as often as I use the 15W I have not “dialed” in the amp for live recording as well. I don’t do any pre/post sound editing and try to capture the room by just placing a mic next to the camera, along with a lapel for my voice. I need to use it more to dial it in…😎 Appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts…🎸👍

[@theshadowoftruth7561]

Great amps, I got the 15 and the 50 watt versions!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Excellent! Agree that they are great amps! My 15 is my everyday workhorse, but this lil’ 5 is a beast of its own! Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and sharing your thoughts! Much thanks…🎸👍

[@pjford5254]

Those semi hollow bodies get a sound unlike all others. I never cared much for positions II and IV on a strat. That may be the ceramic magnets. My '75 sounds better, but has the 3 position switch although you can still put it in that sweet spot between detents.

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@pjford5254 Hi PJ…thanks so much for watching and commenting. Yeah, my NOS 65 Custom Shop has the 3 position as well, but like you said…you can still get into those “sweet spots”….truly appreciate your stopping into the channel. Much thanks…🎸👍

[@greg6509]

Have the 5 watt. Amazon lowered the price for one day down to $99.99 and I bought it as soon as I saw that. Along with a Sonic Cake Twiggy Blues (4 pedals in one) and a Drummer/Looper pedal it's all I need! Super loud. I too only use the one watt setting between two and three on the volume and three on the tone. Perfect beginner or practice amp. I guess I didn't realize that 1 watt of tube power can blow away 15 watts of solid state!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Greg…thanks for watching and commenting! Congrats on yours and I also have the SoniCake Twiggy Blues pedal. It’s a remarkably good sounding pedal, and quiet as well. The 1W setting is plenty loud for studio use. So glad you stopped into the channel, and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated! 🎸👍

[@greg6509]

@@JimmyStewart1 Thank you Jimmy! I bought the SonicCake after discovering your channel! I've been eyeing the monoprice tube amps for a while now, but seeing you use the twiggyblues in combination with the stage right and how it offers the reverb the five watt was missing, helped make me pull the trigger! Wish I would have discovered your channel earlier! Just took back up guitar this year and I would have saved money just buying Firefly guitars instead of squires and Epiphones haha. I think this is the perfect beginner budget combination too for amp and effects. Appreciate all you do brother!

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@greg6509 That’s excellent man! So glad I was able to help you along in some of those choices. Always good to hear when someone is enjoying the channel and has found it helpful! Thanks so much for the kind comments….keep pickin’ my friend…🙏👍

[@benwright6330]

It's a Wonderful Life!

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Ben…thanks for stopping into the channel…Bedford Falls welcomes you! 🎸👍

[@myguitardidyermom212]

I'm still kind of floored by how cheap they managed make these things. the transformers alone could easily cost more than this whole amp

[@JimmyStewart1]

I think it’s one of the best bargains out there right now for a small 5W valve amp combo! Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel…much thanks! 🎸👍

[@gregholmes1289]

My 5 watt only worked for about a year. Changed the tubes and still no sound. Anyone have an idea what might be wrong with it? It doesn't look easy to open up.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hmmm…sorry to hear that Greg. Not being a “amp tech” I would be hesitant to try and give you any advice outside of having a qualified tech take a look at it. That said, it would probably be cheaper to replace it with another with the cost of some services these days unfortunately. If it’s a simple fuse or something, then perhaps it’s cost effective to investigate. If it’s getting power, but no sound, is the speaker disconnected? The simple things can be eliminated fairly easily. Monoprice does not provide schematics on their amps, which does not help matters much….perhaps someone else may jump in to give some other advice. Good luck and thanks for stopping into the channel. 🎸👍

[@MrMoneyHelper]

I wanted to hear the 8" speaker. I did see the original review of this using the 8" speaker.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Gotcha…👍👍

[@emilramirez2960]

Hi there Jimmy, I'm new at your channel and basically just want to say thank you for the time and effort you dedicate to each of your reviews. Believe it or not, you've been helping a lot of musicians without even knowing. I've been using a Fender Super Champ X2, 15 watts all tube with digital effects included... very compact by the way... and for about a year I've been trying to find something even smaller to help my back however nothing comes close because when I find a good compact 10-15 watts then is missing the onboard digital effects or it doesn't sound as good. Can you please do a review of the Fender Super Champ X2? God bless you man. Cheers from Miami Florida.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Emile…thanks so much for all the kind comments! As far as the Super Champ X2…not sure I really need another amp as a I have number already, but I can never say never when it comes to gear…😎

[@emilramirez2960]

something tells me a Fender Super Champ X2 would please you big time... I mean is 15 watts all tube and the onboard effects are good... specially for having Tremolo in addition to delays, reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser etc and you know most compact amps do not include tremolo just sayin' but yeah it seems to be among the top 5 15-watt amps in my humble opinion. Rock on! @@JimmyStewart1

[@JimmyStewart1]

@emilramirez2960 I will try and take a look into it Emil…much thanks!! 🎸👍

[@74dartman13]

Just subbed.👍😎

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hey!! Thanks so much! Welcome to the “good side”!! Truly appreciate it and hope you enjoy the channel! Explore when you get the chance!! 🙏👍

[@74dartman13]

@JimmyStewart1 yep! Will do.🙂

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@74dartman13 👍👍

[@scareantics]

that backing track is awesome how did you get that bass tone?

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hey man…thanks so much for watching and commenting! Glad you enjoyed it…The backing track is just something of a sample I downloaded from the Roland Boss RC-5 Loop Station website software and loaded into an empty memory slot on the RC-5…..

[@Dwightpower88]

That's hilarious. Boss doesn't f around ​@@JimmyStewart1

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@Dwightpower88 👍👍

[@74dartman13]

I liked the P-90's the best.👍😎🎸🎶

[@JimmyStewart1]

My favorite pickups as well…thanks🎸👍

[@74dartman13]

@JimmyStewart1 ya, they sounded great! I love my little amp...at 5 watts, it almost blows the windows out of my little 12x12 room!👍😎🎸🎶

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@74dartman13 Oh yeah…the can get LOUD!

[@74dartman13]

@@JimmyStewart1 👍😎

[@birdman316]

nice lil amp brother! you had the big cab hooked up to it?

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Mike…thanks…yes I had the V30 12” cab hooked up. Using the looper backing, I wanted a little more speaker.

[@birdman316]

@@JimmyStewart1 sounded "larger than usual" hahaha! had no problem pushing it? no overheating issues?

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@birdman316 No issues at all…this was also in the 1W setting….🎸👍

[@MichaelLHill-fd3kw]

I have checked the website for Amazon and they have the 5 w stage right on the site for $169. It shows that they have 18 of them. I have often wondered about that Spark 40 more than the 5w and I think you where not a big fan of the Spark but I just wanted to know if you have checked out the website for it lately. I have a Spark 40 but I don’t use it much right now because I am still working on my studio and I have been using the Behringer GTX 30 mainly because it has the tube preamp and a 12” driver. By the way the FireFly guitars came in today and I am going to let them acclimate for a day or two and then I will check them out and let you know what I think of them. I enjoyed the video and the playing you were having fun playing and I was having fun with you too. I will definitely be in touch.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Michael…yeah I didn’t check Amazon I was just referring to the Monoprice web site and the sales this past week. I picked mine up from Monoprice a couple years ago for $99 on sale as I recall…the Spark amp has not been used in quite some time as well. It’s ok really for what it is…just not a big fan of having to run the app and all the “knob twisting” to find a tone. Especially when I can get the tones I am really looking for with a small valve amp and a couple pedals with a lot less hassle. Guess I should “fire it up” with a re-visit…glad to hear your FF’s arrived! Glad you enjoyed the video…much thanks for stopping in! 🎸👍

[@voxpathfinder15r]

I have both the 5w and 15w versions. I can honestly say for 10x12 music room, the 15 watts model is unusable. It’s a gigging amplifier, and if you don’t think it’s loud enough, plug it into 2x12 cabinet with vintage 30s and get back to me. I just the 8” - I can still easily piss everyone off even in the 1 watts mode.

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Vox pathfinder…oh yeah..I have both and they are both plenty loud…😎 In the studio, I keep both on the 1w setting…thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts. Much thanks for stopping into the channel! 🎸👍

[@scottmartin356]

Very impressive for a 5 W amp! And a great excuse to break out a few guitars and kick out some jams . I've gotten some 10 and 20 W amps with some cheap guitar deals, but those are solid state, so I'm not sure how they would compare. Enjoyed the discussion in the comments about swapping out tubes, maybe I'll get a tube amp one of these days so I can do that. Just recently bought a Pyle USA 40 W solid state that has two speakers, a 6" and 8" that I'm liking, paid $154.34, tax included! Cheap guitars, cheap amps, great fun! Thanks for the Demo Jimmy

[@JimmyStewart1]

Hi Scott…thanks for stopping in! Do I really need an excuse? 🤣. A 5W valve amp is no comparison to those small solid state amps. This will eat my Boss Katana 50W for breakfast! You really should look into picking up a small valve amp…you will never look back….😎 Not familiar with the Pyle you got. If it works for you, that’s what counts! Appreciate your stopping in, and glad you enjoyed! 🎸👍

[@scottmartin356]

So you are saying it is more about the circuit (valve vs solid state) than the speakers 6" vs 12"). Will a valve amp give a cleaner, quieter signal that is more enjoyable at room volume than a more powerful solid state with a bigger speaker? I don't need to fill a hall, just my living room. Asking for a friend @@JimmyStewart1

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@scottmartin356 Speakers are important as well, wattage/magnet/impedance size of enclosure, etc…larger will move more air…give more depth. You tend to get more warmth, harmonics, depth out of a valve amp. Sweeter cleans..nice growl when driven…some solid states can get close, but they still sound “synthetic” to me. Just my opinion of course…😎

[@scottmartin356]

I appreciate your opinions, indeed, I follow your channel to hear those more than the jams, but I do like those! @@JimmyStewart1

[@JimmyStewart1]

@@scottmartin356 Thanks Scott…I try to give a bit of both…😎